If you’ve experienced a Texas summer, you’re familiar with a level of heat that surpasses that of the rest of the country. You’re also likely aware of how quickly your electricity bill can skyrocket during the warmer months. However, by making a few smart choices, you can lower your electricity bill while ensuring your family stays comfortable and cool throughout the summer months.

Take a look at these energy saving tips for summer.

In Texas, the extreme temperatures of summer make air conditioning a necessity, particularly if your home lacks energy efficiency. Nevertheless, your home can still be a haven from the summer heat without draining your finances. Follow these tips to keep your home cool and comfortable until the summer heat subsides.

Master Your Thermostat

By using modern programmable thermostats, you can effectively lower your electricity bill by efficiently managing your home’s cooling system. Optimize the thermostat settings to align with the outside temperature to minimize your use of air conditioning.

You can also program your thermostat to raise the temperature when you’re not at home or at night when outdoor temperatures are cooler. If you return to a warm house, avoid turning the thermostat down too much. It won’t cool your home faster and will likely waste energy by overcooling.

Minimize Air Leakage

Cool air can easily escape through windows, small gaps, and doors, leading to energy loss and the infiltration of warm air. Taking care of these issues can significantly improve your home’s efficiency, especially during the summer. Seal any gaps with caulk and install weather-stripping around windows and doors to enhance insulation and reduce energy waste.

Use Ceiling Fans

A ceiling fan has the ability to make an air-conditioned room feel as if it is four degrees cooler. This cooling sensation enables you to increase the temperature of your thermostat, leading to additional energy savings. However, it is important to understand that the cooling effect produced by a ceiling fan solely impacts your perceived temperature and not the actual ambient air temperature in the room. So, do not forget to turn off your fans when leaving a room.

Reduce Appliance Usage

Reducing your reliance on appliances not only lowers your electricity bill but also helps keep your home cooler. Certain appliances such as computers and hair dryers emit a moderate level of heat, while ovens and dishwashers generate even more. To keep your home cooler, you can try cooking outdoors or use a microwave on hot days.

To further reduce electricity usage, try to run your dishwasher and washing machine only when they’re fully loaded, and if possible, schedule them to operate at night when temperatures are lower. Use cold water to wash clothes since water heating is a significant energy consumer, even in the summer. Additionally, consider upgrading to Energy Star appliances that are designed to be energy-efficient.

Maintain Your Central Air System

During a long Texas summer, your central air system will run frequently. It’s essential to keep your system well-maintained for optimal efficiency. The money you invest in maintenance can be offset by energy savings in the long run. Some tasks can be done by yourself, such as replacing clogged air filters, which can improve air conditioning efficiency by up to 15%. Vacuuming dust regularly from the registers and ensuring furniture doesn’t block vents can further enhance your air conditioner’s efficiency.

By implementing these straightforward methods, you can keep your home cool and lessen your energy bill without making major lifestyle changes. Managing heat gain and airflow in your home and reducing the use of appliances can significantly improve energy efficiency.

How do you plan to keep your family cool this summer? We hope these energy saving tips for summer can help!

Sources:

“Energy Efficient Homes: Programmable Thermostats,” Mississippi State University Extension, http://extension.msstate.edu/publications/energy-efficient-homes-programmable-thermostats
“Air Sealing Your Home,” U.S. Department of Energy, https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/air-sealing-your-home
“Fans for Cooling,” U.S. Department of Energy, https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/fans-cooling
“Maintaining Your Air Conditioner,” U.S. Department of Energy, https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/maintaining-your-air-conditioner